Celtic Kings is an RTS game of its own. It's design is unique, rather than being a spin-off of other common games like Age of Empires. The main differences are: less technologies (it is more based on fighting), no building, and different unit control. Units are level-based, gaining HP and attack/defense points as their levels increase. This I like very much, as it adds the facet of "veteran" warriors. Units can be grouped under a leader, a Hero, giving them a higher fighting ability under his leadership. This makes control of large armies much easier. Units must be fed, or they will slowly starve. This is an added concern, but also very realistic, and adds a major aspect to the game. Items can be carried by units which give certain advantages. And lastly, due to the excellent game machine capabilities, large (even huge) armies can be created and sustained large battles can be fought, without adverse effects to quality. To me, it is a trmendous advantage over AOE or Age of Mythology to be able to lead two hundred units into battle against a foe of the same size.

The downside to the game is its smallness, with only two civilizations to choose from. Also the RPG campaign is rather hard to play. And the game editor, though simple and practical, is not easy to use. With practice, however, one can build campaigns.

On the whole, I have found this game a hugely enjoyable and interesting one, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys RTS games, and is looking for something different.

this game is ok the bad out weighs the good by a mile. 1. you cant build anything 2. your peasent have almost no options to control them 3. you dont destroy buildings, you capture them.....gay!!! 4.the single player maps are really easy, and boring. the rts-rpg part of the game ( which was why i bought it) was very dissapointing. now for the good, 1.the rts-rpg idea for this game was a good idea, just poorely done 2.each unit has levels and your heros have names and can carry items that can heal or raise attack and defense. borrow from a freind or buy it......for very cheap

I have had this game for about a year and have logged about 140 hours of play and I am still enjoying it very much. The game can move fast and you can be defeated rather quickly if disregard the principles of war. The use of Priest and Druids can decide your outcome depending on how well you use them. I personally like using the Battleships to win my campaigns. And on occasion I have been able to throw a hail mary and take out the opponent quickly and decisively. I must confess that I have come to enjoy playing from the Roman vantage but I have also taken out some Gaulic tribes and used them to defeat my opponents. I am truly looking forward to Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars, which will have more weapons, training, tribes (Romans, Iberians, Carthaginians) and battle formations. If you love strategy games than this one is for you.

the single player is not your usual rts campaign, its more like a diablo type adventure.

the skirmish mode is traditional, build any army type of game.

the skirmish gameplay centers around capturing neutral forts, as you move across the map. you do not construct any buildings (a nice change).

as you capture the forts you set up a food supplyline to the forts. Units given food will Auto-Heal. so the gameplay is a litte different from the usual starcraft basebuilding, yeah!

The bottom line with any skirmish mode game is the A.I.

this game has very good AI.

If you're a fan of Historically-based strategy war-gaming, this game will disappoint. The name and the product description lead one to beleive that this plays like a strategy game. It plays more like a fantasy roll-playing game. The plot-line, and play are more than a little sophomoric. I lasted one game.

I should have played a demo before I dropped cash on this game.